The food insecurity situation in Djibouti has improved substantially in the Arta region, confirming the trend noted in the previous analysis and placing it largely in Phase 1. The situation has partially improved in Obock and Tadjourah regions, while other areas, notably Dikhil and the South- (SE) Ali Sabieh Agropastoral have been affected by the impact of drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon, which has caused the influx of agropastoral people displacement from Ethiopia and Somalia.

Overall, the regions have experienced a more or less pronounced deterioration between late 2015 and mid-2016 before stabilizing in 2016, with the agro-pastoral livelihood zones most vulnerable to shocks.  

The Obock region has seen an improvement in terms of availability and access to food in and around Obock city, which is not felt to the north, in areas disturbed by insecurity and far from the markets. The situation remains mixed in the regions of Tadjourah and Ali Sabieh. 

The Dikhil region, however, experienced a significant deterioration in the livelihoods between Oct. 2015 and May 2016 (loss of livestock due to cross-border epidemics), which strongly affected households. 

Integration of IPC data for the identification of vulnerable populations in need of humanitarian assistance:

The present analysis has made the best use of the data available under the very limited IPC tools to establish the level of food security across the country. In order to provide a technically sound base to decision-makers for the accompaniment of the populations affected by the drought and the erosion of livelihoods, the Cluster and its partners will have to commit themselves to updating the data, in particular nutritional and socio-demographic data (the latest SMART survey dates from 2013 and EDAM from 2012). 

The Technical Working Group with the Government Focal Point (MAEPERH) are encouraged to prioritize the process of appropriation of the IPC tool by appointing the Chair of the TWG, capitalizing on members trained to build a strong and competent core, and forming a pool of national experts trained at Level 2 (trainers) of the IPC.

Recommendations and next steps for the Cluster (GTTR):

• Improve the data collection process (list of indicators)
• Prepare integration of ISS data prior to the workshop and include analysts in the exercise;
• Conduct an IPC Chronic Food Insecurity analysis including the urban and / or peri-urban environment

For the IPC TWG:

• Organize Level 1 certification for the largest number of analysts;
• Strengthen the capacity of trained members to form a competent and stable core to participate in IPC cycles;

For the Government:

• Commit to providing the Government participants with training for the next analyses
• Accelerate the process of appropriation of the IPC tool.
• Conduct a SMART study to update nutritional status data